Fixing unit having a plurality of heaters, image forming apparatus and method of determining temperature detecting position of temperature sensor

ABSTRACT

A fixing unit thermally fixes a toner on a recording medium by a fixing member having a plurality of internal heaters and an outer peripheral surface, and a temperature sensor detects a surface temperature of the fixing member at a temperature detecting position. At least one first heater, of the heaters, receives power from a first power supply, and remaining second heaters receive power from a second power supply. One of the second heaters closest to the temperature detecting position is the same distance from the temperature detecting position as or is closer to the temperature detecting position than a first heater which is closest to the temperature detecting position.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/814,161, filed Apr. 1, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,555.

This application claims the benefit of a Japanese Patent Application No.2003-098055 filed Apr. 1, 2003, in the Japanese Patent Office, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to, and more particularly tofixing units and image forming apparatuses, and more particularly to afixing unit having a battery for supplying power to a heater, an imageforming apparatus having such a fixing unit, and a method of determininga temperature detecting position of a temperature sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, electrophotography type image forming apparatuses such ascopying apparatuses, printers, facsimile apparatuses and compositeapparatuses, form a toner image on a recording medium such as recordingpaper or sheet, and heat the toner image by passing the recording mediumthrough a fixing unit so to fix the toner image on the recording medium.

In the fixing unit, power is supplied to a heater so that the heaterheats a fixing member such as a roller and an endless belt. The tonerimage on the recording medium is heated when the fixing member, such asthe roller and the endless belt, contacts the recording medium.Conventionally, the power to the heater is supplied from a commercialA.C. power supply. However, a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2002-174988 proposes a fixing unit which is designed so that the powerto the heaters of the fixing unit is also supplied using a battery.

In other words, in a case where the fixing unit is started from astopped state by turning ON a main power supply, for example, it takestime for the fixing unit to reach a usable state, and the fixing unitcannot be used for a waiting time until the usable state is reached. Inorder to reduce this waiting time, the Japanese Laid-Open PatentApplication No. 2002-174988 supplies power to the heaters of theproposed fixing unit by using both the commercial A.C. power supply andthe battery, so as to rapidly heat the fixing member to a reloadtemperature.

But when starting this proposed fixing unit, even if the power supply tothe heaters is controlled based on a temperature of the proposed fixingunit that is detected by a temperature sensor, the fixing member mayactually be heated to a temperature which exceeds a set temperature. Itis undesirable, however, for the temperature of the fixing member toexceed the set temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea novel and useful fixing unit, image forming apparatus and a method ofdetermining a temperature detecting position of a temperature sensor, inwhich the problems described above are suppressed.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to providea fixing unit and an image forming apparatus, in which a fixing memberis heated within a range less than or equal to a set temperature when atleast one heater is designed to receive power from a battery, so as tomore positively ensure safety.

Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide amethod of determining a temperature detecting position of a temperaturesensor which detects a surface temperature of a fixing member of afixing unit.

Still another and more specific object of the present invention is toprovide a fixing unit to thermally fix a toner on a recording medium,comprising a fixing member having a plurality of internal heaters, andan outer peripheral surface configured to fix the toner on the recordingmedium; and a temperature sensor configured to detect a surfacetemperature of the fixing member at a temperature detecting position,the plurality of heaters receiving power based on the surfacetemperature detected by the temperature sensor so that the surfacetemperature becomes a predetermined temperature, at least one firstheater, of the plurality of heaters, having a state which generates noheat in response to power supplied from a first power supply even duringan operation of the fixing unit, remaining second heaters, of theplurality of heaters, being capable of constantly generating heat inresponse to power supplied from a second power supply during theoperation of the fixing unit, one of the second heaters closest to thetemperature detecting position is the same distance from the temperaturedetecting position as or is closer to the temperature detecting positionthan a first heater which is closest to the temperature detectingposition. According to the fixing unit of the present invention, thefirst heater closest to the temperature detecting position will notblock the heat generated from one or more second heaters, and thesurface temperature of the fixing member at the temperature detectingposition may be made substantially the same as the surface temperatureat other surface positions of the fixing member. For this reason, it ispossible to safely heat the fixing member within a range less than orequal to a set temperature.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixing unit tothermally fix a toner on a recording medium, comprising a fixing memberhaving a plurality of internal heaters, and an outer peripheral surfaceconfigured to fix the toner on the recording medium; and a temperaturesensor configured to detect a surface temperature of the fixing memberat a temperature detecting position, the plurality of heaters receivingpower based on the surface temperature detected by the temperaturesensor so that the surface temperature becomes a predeterminedtemperature, at least one first heater, of the plurality of heaters,receiving power from a first power supply, remaining second heaters, ofthe plurality of heaters, receiving power from a second power supplywhich is different from the first power supply, one of the secondheaters closest to the temperature detecting position is the samedistance from the temperature detecting position as or is closer to thetemperature detecting position than a first heater which is closest tothe temperature detecting position. According to the fixing unit of thepresent invention, the first heater closest to the temperature detectingposition will not block the heat generated from one or more secondheaters, and the surface temperature of the fixing member at thetemperature detecting position may be made substantially the same as thesurface temperature at other surface positions of the fixing member. Forthis reason, it is possible to safely heat the fixing member within arange less than or equal to a set temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image formingapparatus adapted to form an image on a recording medium by anelectrophotography technique, comprising an image forming unitconfigured to form a toner image on a recording medium; and a fixingunit configured to thermally fix the toner image on the recordingmedium, the fixing unit comprising a fixing member having a plurality ofinternal heaters, and an outer peripheral surface configured to fix thetoner on the recording medium; and a temperature sensor configured todetect a surface temperature of the fixing member at a temperaturedetecting position, the plurality of heaters receiving power based onthe surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor so that thesurface temperature becomes a predetermined temperature, at least onefirst heater, of the plurality of heaters, having a state whichgenerates no heat in response to power supplied from a first powersupply even during an operation of the fixing unit, remaining secondheaters, of the plurality of heaters, being capable of constantlygenerating heat in response to power supplied from a second power supplyduring the operation of the fixing unit, one of the second heatersclosest to the temperature detecting position is the same distance fromthe temperature detecting position as or is closer to the temperaturedetecting position than a first heater which is closest to thetemperature detecting position. According to the image forming apparatusof the present invention, the first heater closest to the temperaturedetecting position will not block the heat generated from one or moresecond heaters, and the surface temperature of the fixing member at thetemperature detecting position may be made substantially the same as thesurface temperature at other surface positions of the fixing member. Forthis reason, it is possible to safely heat the fixing member within arange less than or equal to a set temperature, and a satisfactory imagecan be formed on the recording medium.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an imageforming apparatus adapted to form an image on a recording medium by anelectrophotography technique, comprising an image forming unitconfigured to form a toner image on a recording medium; and a fixingunit configured to thermally fix the toner image on the recordingmedium, the fixing unit comprising a fixing member having a plurality ofinternal heaters, and an outer peripheral surface configured to fix thetoner on the recording medium; and a temperature sensor configured todetect a surface temperature of the fixing member at a temperaturedetecting position, the plurality of heaters receiving power based onthe surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor so that thesurface temperature becomes a predetermined temperature, at least onefirst heater, of the plurality of heaters, receiving power from a firstpower supply, remaining second heaters, of the plurality of heaters,receiving power from a second power supply which is different from thefirst power supply, one of the second heaters closest to the temperaturedetecting position is the same distance from the temperature detectingposition as or is closer to the temperature detecting position than afirst heater which is closest to the temperature detecting position.According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, thefirst heater closest to the temperature detecting position will notblock the heat generated from one or more second heaters, and thesurface temperature of the fixing member at the temperature detectingposition may be made substantially the same as the surface temperatureat other surface positions of the fixing member. For this reason, it ispossible to safely heat the fixing member within a range less than orequal to a set temperature, and a satisfactory image can be formed onthe recording medium.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixing unit tothermally fix a toner on a recording medium, comprising a fixing memberhaving a plurality of internal heaters, and an outer peripheral surfaceconfigured to fix the toner on the recording medium; and at least onetemperature sensor configured to detect a surface temperature of thefixing member at a temperature detecting position, the plurality ofheaters receiving power based on the surface temperature detected by thetemperature sensor so that the surface temperature becomes apredetermined temperature, at least one first heater, of the pluralityof heaters, being capable of receiving power from a battery, remainingsecond heaters, of the plurality of heaters, being capable of receivingpower from an external power supply, a temperature distribution of thesurface temperature when the first heater is ON and a temperaturedistribution of the surface temperature when the first heater is OFFhaving a difference smaller than a predetermined value at thetemperature detecting position. According to the fixing unit of thepresent invention, it is possible to safely and accurately control thesurface temperature of the fixing member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fixingunit to thermally fix a toner on a recording medium, comprising a fixingmember having a plurality of internal heaters, and an outer peripheralsurface configured to fix the toner on the recording medium; and atleast one temperature sensor configured to detect a surface temperatureof the fixing member at a temperature detecting position, the pluralityof heaters receiving power based on the surface temperature detected bythe temperature sensor so that the surface temperature becomes apredetermined temperature, at least one first heater, of the pluralityof heaters, being capable of receiving power from a battery, remainingsecond heaters, of the plurality of heaters, being capable of receivingpower from an external power supply, a temperature distribution of thesurface temperature when no first heater is provided and at least one ofthe second heaters is turned ON and a temperature distribution of thesurface temperature when the first heater is provided and at least oneof the second heaters is turned ON having a difference smaller than apredetermined value at the temperature detecting position. According tothe fixing unit of the present invention, it is possible to safely andaccurately control the surface temperature of the fixing member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an imageforming apparatus adapted to form an image on a recording medium by anelectrophotography technique, comprising an image forming unitconfigured to form a toner image on a recording medium; and a fixingunit configured to thermally fix the toner image on the recordingmedium, the fixing unit comprising a fixing member having a plurality ofinternal heaters, and an outer peripheral surface configured to fix thetoner on the recording medium; and at least one temperature sensorconfigured to detect a surface temperature of the fixing member at atemperature detecting position, the plurality of heaters receiving powerbased on the surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor sothat the surface temperature becomes a predetermined temperature, atleast one first heater, of the plurality of heaters, being capable ofreceiving power from a battery, remaining second heaters, of theplurality of heaters, being capable of receiving power from an externalpower supply, a temperature distribution of the surface temperature whenthe first heater is ON and a temperature distribution of the surfacetemperature when the first heater is OFF having a difference-smallerthan a predetermined value at the temperature detecting position.According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it ispossible to safely and accurately control the surface temperature of thefixing member, and stably fix the toner image on the recording medium.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an image formingapparatus adapted to form an image on a recording medium by anelectrophotography technique, comprising an image forming unitconfigured to form a toner image on a recording medium; and a fixingunit configured to thermally fix the toner image on the recordingmedium, the fixing unit comprising a fixing member having a plurality ofinternal heaters, and an outer peripheral surface configured to fix thetoner on the recording medium; and at least one temperature sensorconfigured to detect a surface temperature of the fixing member at atemperature detecting position, the plurality of heaters receiving powerbased on the surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor sothat the surface temperature becomes a predetermined temperature, atleast one first heater, of the plurality of heaters, being capable ofreceiving power from a battery, remaining second heaters, of theplurality of heaters, being capable of receiving power from an externalpower supply, a temperature distribution of the surface temperature whenno first heater is provided and at least one of the second heaters isturned ON and a temperature distribution of the surface temperature whenthe first heater is provided and at least one of the second heaters isturned ON having a difference smaller than a predetermined value at thetemperature detecting position. According to the image forming apparatusof the present invention, it is possible to safely and accuratelycontrol the surface temperature of the fixing member, and stably fix thetoner image on the recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofdetermining a temperature detecting position of a temperature sensorwhich is configured to detect a surface temperature of a fixing memberhaving a plurality of internal heaters which receive power based on thesurface temperature detected by the temperature sensor, at least onefirst heater, of the plurality of heaters, being capable of receivingpower from a battery, remaining second heaters, of the plurality ofheaters, being capable of receiving power from an external power supply,the method comprising the steps of obtaining a first temperaturedistribution of the surface temperature when the first heater and atleast one second heater is ON; obtaining a second temperaturedistribution of the surface temperature when the first heater is OFF andsaid at least one second heater is ON; and determining the temperaturedetecting position of the temperature sensor to a location where adifference between the first and second temperature distributions issmaller than a predetermined value. In this case, it is possible todetermine the temperature detecting position of the temperature sensorwhich ensures safe and accurate control of the surface temperature ofthe fixing member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofdetermining a temperature detecting position of a temperature sensorwhich is configured to detect a surface temperature of a fixing memberhaving a plurality of internal heaters which receiving power based onthe surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor, at least onefirst heater, of the plurality of heaters, being capable of receivingpower from a battery, remaining second heaters, of the plurality ofheaters, being capable of receiving power from an external power supply,the method comprising the steps of obtaining a first temperaturedistribution of the surface temperature when no first heater is providedand at least one second heater is ON; obtaining a second temperaturedistribution of the surface temperature when the first heater isprovided and at least one second heater is ON; and determining thetemperature detecting position of the temperature sensor to a locationwhere a difference between the first and second temperaturedistributions is smaller than a predetermined value. In this case, it ispossible to determine the temperature detecting position of thetemperature sensor which ensures safe and accurate control of thesurface temperature of the fixing member.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fixing unit;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit structure of the fixingunit;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fixing unit havingthree heaters;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship of a temperature detected bya temperature sensor and a nip temperature;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a first embodiment ofa fixing unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a first modificationof the first embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a second modificationof the first embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a second embodimentof the fixing unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a first modificationof the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a secondmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a third modificationof the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fourthmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fifth modificationof the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a sixth modificationof the second embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing an embodiment of an imageforming apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a part of a third embodiment ofthe fixing unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a fixing roller shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the fixing unit cut along a lineA-A in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the fixing unit cut along a lineB-B in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing amounts of heat generated by heater partsof the heaters in the third embodiment of the fixing unit;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing amounts of heat generated by heater partsof the heaters in a modification of the third embodiment of the fixingunit;

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of a method ofdetermining a temperature detecting position of temperature sensoraccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of a method ofdetermining a temperature detecting position of temperature sensoraccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, a description will be given of a basic structure of a fixing unitto which the present invention may be applied, by referring to FIGS. 1through 4.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fixing unit. Afixing unit 90A shown in FIG. 1 includes a fixing roller 1A which formsa fixing member, and a pressure roller 2 which presses against thefixing roller 1A at a predetermined nip pressure by an operation of aknown pressing means (not shown). The fixing roller 1A is rotatedclockwise by a known driving mechanism (not shown), and the pressureroller 2 rotates counterclockwise. The fixing roller 1A includes heaters91 and 92 which generate heat in response to power supplied thereto. Anouter peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1A is heated to a reloadtemperature capable of fixing a toner T, that is, a toner image, by theheat generated from the heaters 91 and 92. The surface temperature ofthe fixing roller 1A is monitored by a known temperature detecting meanssuch as a temperature sensor 3 which detects the temperature bycontacting the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1A.

When carrying out an image forming process in an image formingapparatus, a recording medium P, such as recording paper or sheet, whichhas the toner T (or toner image) formed thereon by an electrophotographytechnique, is passed through a nip part between the fixing roller 1A andthe pressure roller 2. The recording medium P is thus heated by thefixing roller 1A and the pressure roller 2, and the toner T (or tonerimage) is fixed on the recording medium P. A predetermined amount ofheat is required in order to fix the toner T on the recording medium P,and the supply of power to the heaters 91 and 92 is controlled so thatthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 2 becomes the reloadtemperature.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit structure of the fixingunit 90A. In FIG. 2, the heater 91 generates heat in response to thepower supplied from an external power supply (commercial A.C. powersupply) 87, and the heater 92 generates heat in response to the powersupplied from a capacitor 88 which forms a battery. A temperaturedetection signal from the temperature sensor 3, which detects thesurface temperature of the fixing roller 1A, is supplied to a CPU 83 viaan input circuit 82. The CPU 83 controls the supply of power to theheater 91 via a driver 84 and a thermostat 86, and supplies the supplyof power to the heater 92 via a switch SW, based on the temperaturedetection signal, so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller1A becomes a set temperature. The capacitor 88 may be connected to acharging unit 89 and charged, by controlling a switch 85.

The thermostat 86 is turned OFF when the temperature of the fixing unit90A exceeds an upper limit temperature, so as to cut off the supply ofpower from the external power supply 87 to the heater 91.

In a case where the fixing unit 90A is started from a stopped state byturning ON a main power supply, for example, it is desirable to reduce awaiting time which is required until the fixing unit 90A reaches ausable state. Hence, the power is supplied to both the heaters 91 and 92to rapidly heat the fixing roller 1A to the reload temperature. As aresult, it is unnecessary to supply preheating power to the heaters 91and 92 in the stopped state, the fixing roller 1A can be heatedefficiently.

When starting the fixing unit 90A, the fixing roller 1A is not rotated,and the fixing roller 1A is heated based on the temperature detectionsignal from the temperature sensor 3 which detects the surfacetemperature of the stationary fixing roller 1A. In other words, whensupplying power from the external power supply 87 to the heater 91, ifthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 1A detected by thetemperature sensor 3 has not reached a predetermined temperature, theswitch SW is turned ON to supply power from the capacitor 88 to theheater 92. In addition, when the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1A detected by the temperature sensor 3 reaches an upper limitvalue of the predetermined temperature, the switch SW is turned OFF tocut off the power supply from the capacitor 88 to the heater 92.Alternatively, the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1A after apredetermined time is predicted from the surface temperature of thefixing roller 1A and a temperature rising (or heating) gradient thereof,and the power supply from the capacitor 88 to the heater 92 is cut offso that the predicted surface temperature does not exceed the upperlimit value of the predetermined temperature. At the same time, thesupply of power from the external power supply 87 to the heater 91 iscontinued, but the amount of power supplied to the heater 91 issuppressed by the driver 84 to such an extent that the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1A can be maintained to the reloadtemperature. Accordingly, by controlling, that is, enabling or disablingthe power supply from the capacitor 88 to the heater 92, the powersupply from the external power supply 87 to the heater 91 can constantlybe made without having to enable or disable the power supply. As aresult, the fixing roller 1A can be heated efficiently, and the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1A is simultaneously prevented fromrising to an excessively high temperature.

However, even if the power supply to the heaters is controlled based onthe surface temperature of the fixing roller detected by the temperaturesensor, the surface temperature may actually be heated to a temperatureexceeding the set temperature depending on the arrangement of theheaters, as will be described hereunder in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a fixing unit havingthree heaters. In FIG. 3, those parts which are essentially the same asthose corresponding parts in FIG. 1 are designated by the same referencenumerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

A fixing unit 90B shown in FIG. 3 includes a fixing roller 1B which hasa hollow cylindrical shape and three heaters 93, 94 and 95 providedtherein. The heater 93 generates heat in response to a D.C. currentpower supply from a battery such as a capacitor. On the other hand, theheaters 94 and 95 generate heat in response to an A.C. current powersupply from an external power supply. A temperature sensor 3 detects thesurface temperature of the fixing roller 1B, by contacting the outerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1B at a diametrically oppositeposition from a nip part 4 relative to a center shaft (not shown) of thefixing roller 1B.

Although only the cross sectional shapes are shown in FIG. 3, theheaters 93, 94 and 95 have a rod shape, for example, and are disposedsymmetrically about the center shaft of the fixing roller 1B atcircumferential positions separated by a predetermined distance from aninner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1B. In addition, theheater 93 is arranged at an upper portion within the fixing roller 1B,at a position directly below the temperature sensor 3. On the otherhand, the heaters 94 and 95 are arranged at a lower portion within thefixing roller 1B. Similarly as described above in conjunction with FIG.2, the power supply from the capacitor to the heater 93 is controlled,that is, enabled and disabled, while the power supply from the externalpower supply to the heaters 94 and 95 can constantly be made.

When starting the fixing unit 90B shown in FIG. 3, the fixing roller 1Bis heated based on the surface temperature of the stationary fixingroller 1B detected by the temperature sensor 3. In this state, if thecapacitor has been charged to such an extent that the capacitor iscapable of supplying power, and since the surface temperature of thefixing roller 1B has not yet reached the predetermined temperature, thepower from the capacitor is supplied to the heater 93 while power fromthe external power supply is supplied to the heaters 94 and 95, so as torapidly heat the fixing roller 1B. Thus, the fixing roller 1B is heateduniformly in the circumferential direction thereof by the heaters 93, 94and 95. For this reason, the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1Bdetected by the temperature sensor 3 and a nip temperature in thevicinity of the nip part 4 match, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship of the temperature detectedby the temperature sensor 3 and the nip temperature in a vicinity of thenip part 4. In FIG. 4, the ordinate indicates the nip temperature inarbitrary units, and the abscissa indicates the temperature detected bythe temperature sensor 3 in arbitrary units. When the temperature sensor3 detects that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1B hasreached a reload temperature T1, the nip temperature in the vicinity ofthe nip part 4 has also reached a reload temperature Tnip (approximatelyequal to T1). Thereafter, the power supply is controlled so that thesurface temperature of the fixing roller 1B at the position detected bythe temperature sensor 3 and the nip temperature in the vicinity of thenip part 4 are maintained to the reload temperature (T1, Tnip).

On the other hand, if the capacitor has only been charged to such anextent that the capacitor is not capable of supplying power due toinsufficient charging, for example, no power is actually supplied fromthe capacitor to the heater 93 even though a circuit similar to thatshown in FIG. 2 is provided to enable the power supply from thecapacitor to the heater 93. Consequently, the fixing roller 1B in thiscase is only heated by the heat generated from the heaters 94 and 95which receive power from the external power supply.

The fixing roller 1B is heated from the inside by the heat radiated fromthe heaters 93, 94 and 95 within the fixing roller 1B. But in a statewhere no power is supplied from the capacitor to the heater 93 in FIG.3, portions in the vicinity of the temperature detecting position of thetemperature sensor 3 do not fully receive the heat radiated from theheaters 94 and 95 because the heat is blocked by the heater 93, and as aresult, the nip temperature in the vicinity of the nip part 4 constantlybecomes higher than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3at the temperature detecting position. Accordingly, the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1B detected by the temperature sensor 3does not match the nip temperature in the vicinity of the nip part 4, asindicated by a solid line in FIG. 4, and the nip temperature in thevicinity of the nip part 4 reaches the reload temperature Tnip(approximately equal to T1) before the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1B detected by the temperature sensor 3 reaches the reloadtemperature T1. More particularly, the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1B detected by the temperature sensor 3 is only T2 (<T1) when thenip temperature in the vicinity of the nip part 4 is Tnip (approximatelyequal to T1). Furthermore, since the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1B detected by the temperature sensor 3 has not yet reached thereload temperature T1, the power supply from the external power supplyto the heaters 94 and 95 is continued so as to heat the fixing roller1B, even after the nip temperature in the vicinity of the nip part 4exceeds the reload temperature Tnip (approximately equal to T1). In thiscase, the excess heating is continued until the temperature sensor 3detects that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1B has reachedthe reload temperature T1, and in an extreme case, the nip temperaturein the vicinity of the nip part 4 may reach an igniting temperature ofthe recording medium.

One particular case where the charge in the capacitor is insufficient,that is, the capacitor is not capable of supplying power, is when thecapacitor is not charged due to the main power supply which is turnedOFF immediately after the fixing unit is started, and the main powersupply is turned ON afterwards to start the fixing unit.

Next, a description will be given of various embodiments of the fixingunit according to the present invention, an image forming apparatusaccording to the present invention, and a method of determiningtemperature detecting position of the temperature sensor, by referringto FIGS. 5 through 15.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a part of a first embodiment ofthe fixing unit according to the present invention. In FIG. 5 and FIGS.6 through 15 which will be described later, those parts which areessentially the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 aredesignated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereofwill be omitted.

A fixing unit 10 shown in FIG. 5 includes a fixing roller 1, a pressureroller 2 and a temperature sensor 3. The fixing roller 1 includes threeheaters 11, 12 and 13 which heat the fixing roller 1 from the inside.The pressure roller 2 presses against the fixing roller 1 at apredetermined nip pressure. The temperature sensor 3 contacts an outerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1 and outputs a temperaturedetection signal indicative of a surface temperature of the fixingroller 1 that is detected thereby.

In this embodiment, the fixing roller 1 has a hollow cylindrical shape.However, a fixing member is not limited to the fixing roller 1, and afixing member having other forms, such as an endless belt, may be usedin place of the fixing roller 1. The fixing roller 1 is stationary atthe time of starting the fixing unit 10, and rotates clockwise in FIG. 5when a recording medium (not shown) such as recording paper is passedthrough a nip part between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller2.

The fixing unit 10 “at the time of starting” refers to a state where itis necessary to heat, that is, raise the temperature of the fixingroller 1, such as when the main power supply of the fixing unit 10 isturned ON and when the fixing unit 10 is restored to an operating statefrom a stopped or standby state.

In this embodiment, an outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 2is made of a sufficiently elastic material such as silicon rubber.However, a pressure member is not limited to the pressure roller 2, anda pressure member having other forms, such as an endless belt, may beused in place of the pressing roller 2. The pressure roller 2 pressesagainst the fixing roller 1 at a predetermined nip pressure by anoperation of a known pressing means (not shown). The pressing roller 2is stationary at the time of starting the fixing unit 10, and rotatescounterclockwise in FIG. 5 when the recording medium is passed throughthe nip part between the fixing roller 1 and the pressing roller 2. Aknown driving mechanism (not shown) drives and rotates the fixing roller1 and the pressing roller 2. However, it is of course possible to driveand rotate only one of the fixing roller 1 and the pressing roller 2 bythe driving mechanism.

The temperature sensor 3 is arranged at a temperature detecting positionwhere the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 is detected. Thistemperature detecting position is located at a diametrically oppositeposition from the nip part between the fixing roller 1 and the pressingroller 2, relative to a center shaft (not shown) of the fixing roller 1.The temperature sensor 3 may be formed by any temperature detectingmeans capable of detecting the surface temperature of the fixing roller1, and the temperature detecting means does not need to make directcontact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1 as longas it is possible to detect the surface temperature of the fixing roller1. Hence, various contact type sensors and non-contact type sensors,including a radiation thermometer and a thermocouple (or thermoelectric)thermometer, may be used for the temperature sensor 3.

In this embodiment, each of the heaters 11, 12 and 13 has a rod shape,although only the cross section is shown in FIG. 5. The heater 11receives power from a battery, such as a capacitor, and heats the fixingroller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheral surface of thefixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which is supplied to theheater 11, is controlled. In other words, the power from the battery, tobe supplied to the heater 11, may be turned ON and OFF. The power fromthe battery is turned ON, that is, the power is supplied from thebattery, when the capacitor or the like forming the battery issufficiently charged. But the power from the battery is turned OFF, thatis, no power is supplied from the battery, when the capacitor or thelike forming the battery is insufficiently charged and the charge hasnot reached a level which enables a stable power supply. On the otherhand, the heaters 12 and 13 receive power from an external power supply,such as a commercial A.C. power supply, which can constantly supplypower, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 12 and 13.

The capacitor is a D.C. power supply forming the battery. It is possibleto use an electric double layer capacitor or the like having anelectrostatic capacitance of the farad (F) order or greater. Forexample, the battery may be formed by a capacitor module which is madeup of a plurality of capacitor cells which are connected in seriesand/or in parallel. In this case, each capacitor cell may have acapacitance of approximately 300 F to 1500 F at a rated voltage of 2.5V, so as to realize a high output voltage of approximately 30 V to 200Vfrom the capacitor module.

The heaters 11, 12 and 13 are disposed symmetrically about the centershaft of the fixing roller 1 at circumferential positions separated by apredetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixingroller 1. A distance L_(D) from the heater 11 to the temperaturedetecting position of the temperature sensor 3 is greater than or equalto a distance L_(A) from the heater 13 to the temperature detectingposition of the temperature sensor 3. That is, L_(A)≦L_(D), and theheater 13 is closer to the temperature detecting position than theheater 11.

At the time of starting the fixing unit 10, the fixing roller 1 isheated in a state where the fixing roller 1 is stationary, based on thesurface temperature of the stationary fixing roller 1 which is detectedby the temperature sensor 3. In other words, the power from the externalpower supply is supplied to the heaters 12 and 13, and if the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 detected by the temperature sensor 3has not yet reached a predetermined temperature, the power from thebattery is supplied to the heater 11 (power supply from the battery tothe heater 11 is turned ON). If the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1 detected by the temperature sensor 3 reaches an upper limitvalue of the predetermined temperature, the supply of power from thecapacitor to the heater 11 is cut off by a switch or the like (powersupply from the battery to the heater 11 is turned OFF). Alternatively,the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 after a predeterminedtime is predicted from the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1and a temperature rising (or heating) gradient thereof, and the powersupply from the capacitor to the heater 11 is cut off so that thepredicted surface temperature does not exceed the upper limit value ofthe predetermined temperature. At the same time, the supply of powerfrom the external power supply to the heaters 12 and 13 is continued,but the amount of power supplied to the heaters 12 and 13 is suppressedto such an extent that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1can be maintained to the reload temperature.

In the fixing unit 10, the method of fixing the toner (or toner image)on the recording medium is the same as that used in the conventional orexisting fixing units.

By employing the heater arrangement described above for the heaters 11through 13, the heater 11 will not block the heat radiated from theheater 12 and/or the heater 13 during a heating process such as that atthe time of starting the fixing unit 10, even when the charge in thecapacitor is insufficient and the capacitor cannot supply power to theheater 11. For this reason, it is possible to match the surfacetemperature detected by the temperature sensor 3 and the nip temperaturein the vicinity of the nip part, and simultaneously prevent the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 from rising to an undesirable hightemperature so as to ensure safe heating of the fixing roller 1 within arange less than or equal to the set temperature when at least one heater(heater 11 in this embodiment) is designed to receive power from abattery (capacitor in this embodiment), so as to more positively ensuresafety.

Next, a description will be given of first and second modifications ofthe first embodiment of the fixing unit, by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the firstmodification of the first embodiment of the fixing unit. A fixing unit20 shown in FIG. 6 only differs from the fixing unit 10 shown in FIG. 5,in that heaters 21, 22 and 23 have a heater arrangement different fromthat of the heaters 11, 12 and 13. Otherwise, the basic structure andthe power supply control employed by the fixing unit 20 are basicallythe same as those employed by the fixing unit 10.

In FIG. 6, the heater 21 receives power from a battery, such as acapacitor, and heats the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards theinner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from thebattery, which is supplied to the heater 21, is controlled. In otherwords, the power from the battery, to be supplied to the heater 21, maybe turned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 22 and 23 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 22 and 23.

The heaters 21, 22 and 23 are disposed symmetrically about the centershaft of the fixing roller 1 at circumferential positions separated by apredetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixingroller 1. In addition, the heater 23 is located at a position closer tothe temperature detecting position than the heater 21. In other words,of the heaters 22 and 23 which can constantly receive the power from theexternal power supply, the heater 23 which is closest to the temperaturedetecting position, is closer to the temperature detecting position thanthe heater 21 which is closest to the temperature detecting position ofthe heaters which receive the controlled power from the capacitor. Inthis modification, the heater 21 is closest to the temperature detectingposition of the heaters which receive the controlled power from thecapacitor, since only the heater 21 receives the controlled power fromthe capacitor.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the secondmodification of the first embodiment of the fixing unit. A fixing unit30 shown in FIG. 7 only differs from the fixing unit 10 shown in FIG. 5,in that heaters 31, 32 and 33 have a heater arrangement different fromthat of the heaters 11, 12 and 13. Otherwise, the basic structure andthe power supply control employed by the fixing unit 30 are basicallythe same as those employed by the fixing unit 10.

In FIG. 7, the heater 31 receives power from a battery, such as acapacitor, and heats the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards theinner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from thebattery, which is supplied to the heater 31, is controlled. In otherwords, the power from the battery, to be supplied to the heater 31, maybe turned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 32 and 33 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 32 and 33.

The heaters 31, 32 and 33 are disposed symmetrically about the centershaft of the fixing roller 1 at circumferential positions separated by apredetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixingroller 1. In addition, the heater 33 (or heater 32) is located at aposition closer to the temperature detecting position than the heater31. In other words, of the heaters 32 and 33 which can constantlyreceive power from the external power supply, the heater 33 (or heater32 since the heaters 32 and 33 are equidistant from the temperaturedetecting position) which is closest to the temperature detectingposition, is closer to the temperature detecting position than theheater 31 which is closest to the temperature detecting position of theheaters which receive the controlled power from the capacitor. In thismodification, the heater 31 is closest to the temperature detectingposition of the heaters which receive the controlled power from thecapacitor, since only the heater 31 receives the controlled power fromthe capacitor.

According to the first and second modifications of the first embodiment,the heater 21 or 31 will not block the heat radiated from thecorresponding heaters 22 and 23 or 32 and 33 during a heating processsuch as that at the time of starting the fixing unit 20 or 30, even whenthe charge in the capacitor is insufficient and the capacitor cannotsupply the power to the heater 21 or 31. For this reason, it is possibleto match the surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3and the nip temperature in the vicinity of the nip part, andsimultaneously prevent the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1from rising to an undesirable high temperature so as to ensure safeheating of the fixing roller 1 within a range less than or equal to theset temperature when at least one heater (heater 21 in the firstmodification and heater 31 in the second modification) is designed toreceive power from a battery (capacitor in these modifications), so asto more positively ensure safety.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the fixingunit according to the present invention, by referring to FIG. 8. FIG. 8is a cross sectional view showing a part of the second embodiment of thefixing unit according to the present invention.

In a fixing unit 40 shown in FIG. 8, rod-shaped heaters 41, 42, 43 and44 are disposed symmetrically about the center shaft of the fixingroller 1 at circumferential positions separated by a predetermineddistance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. Theheaters 41 and 43 receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, andheat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which issupplied to the heaters 41 and 43, is controlled. In other words, thepower from the battery, to be supplied to the heaters 41 and 43, may beturned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 42 and 44 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 42 and 44.

The heaters 41 through 44 are disposed at the circumferential positionsso that the heater (41, 43) which receives the controlled power from thebattery and the heater (42, 44) which can constantly receive power fromthe external power supply are alternately arranged. In FIG. 8, theheaters are arranged in the order of the heaters 41, 42, 43 and 44 alongthe counterclockwise direction. Of the heaters 42 and 44 which canconstantly receive power from the external power supply, the heater 44which is closest to the temperature detecting position, has the samedistance from the temperature detecting position as or is closer to thetemperature detecting position than the heater 41 which is closest tothe temperature detecting position of the heaters 41 and 43 whichreceive the controlled power from the capacitor.

At the time of starting the fixing unit 40, the fixing roller 1 isheated in a state where the fixing roller 1 is stationary, based on thesurface temperature of the stationary fixing roller 1 which is detectedby the temperature sensor 3. In other words, the power from the externalpower supply is supplied to the heaters 42 and 44, and if the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 detected by the temperature sensor 3has not yet reached a predetermined temperature, the power from thebattery is supplied to the heaters 41 and 43 (power supply from thebattery to the heaters 41 and 43 is turned ON). If the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 detected by the temperature sensor 3reaches an upper limit value of the predetermined temperature, thesupply of power from the capacitor to the heaters 41 and 43 is cut offby a switch or the like (power supply from the battery to the heaters 41and 43 is turned OFF). Alternatively, the surface temperature of thefixing roller 1 after a predetermined time is predicted from the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 and a temperature rising (or heating)gradient thereof, and the power supply from the capacitor to the heaters41 and 43 is cut off so that the predicted surface temperature does notexceed the upper limit value of the predetermined temperature. At thesame time, the supply of power from the external power supply to theheaters 42 and 44 is continued, but the amount of power supplied to theheaters 42 and 44 is suppressed (or controlled) to such an extent thatthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 can be maintained to thereload temperature.

In the fixing unit 40, the method of fixing the toner (or toner image)on the recording medium is the same as that used in the conventional orexisting fixing units.

By employing the heater arrangement described above for the heaters 41through 44, the heater 41 will not block the heat radiated from theheater 44 during a heating process such as that at the time of startingthe fixing unit 40, even when the charge in the capacitor isinsufficient and the capacitor cannot supply power to the heaters 41 and43. For this reason, it is possible to match the surface temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor 3 and the nip temperature in thevicinity of the nip part, and simultaneously prevent the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 from rising to an undesirable hightemperature so as to ensure safe heating of the fixing roller 1 within arange less than or equal to the set temperature when the heaters(heaters 41 and 43 in this embodiment) are designed to receive powerfrom a battery (capacitor in this embodiment), so as to more positivelyensure safety.

Furthermore, since the heaters 41 and 43 which receive the controlledpower from the capacitor and the heaters 42 and 44 which can constantlyreceive power from the external power supply are alternately arrangedalong the circumferential positions within the fixing roller 1, thefixing roller 1 is uniformly heated along the circumferential direction,and the fixing roller 1 can be heated more safely within the range lessthan or equal to the set temperature. Moreover, even in a case where thecharge in the capacitor is insufficient and the capacitor cannot supplypower to the heaters 41 and 43, it is still possible to heat the fixingroller 1 in a relatively uniform manner.

Next, a description will be given of first through sixth modificationsof the second embodiment of the fixing unit, by referring to FIGS. 9through 14. The first through sixth modifications of the secondembodiment shown in FIGS. 9 through 14 only differ from the secondembodiment shown in FIG. 8, in that heater arrangements employed aredifferent from that of the second embodiment. Otherwise, the basicstructure and the power supply control employed by the first throughsixth modifications of the second embodiment are basically the same asthose employed by the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the firstmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 50 shown in FIG. 9, rod-shaped heaters 51, 52, 53 and54 are disposed symmetrically about the center shaft of the fixingroller 1 at circumferential positions separated by a predetermineddistance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. Theheaters 51 and 53 receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, andheat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which issupplied to the heaters 51 and 53, is controlled. In other words, thepower from the battery, to be supplied to the heaters 51 and 53, may beturned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 52 and 54 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 52 and 54.

The heaters 51 through 54 are disposed at the circumferential positionsso that the heater (51, 53) which receives the controlled power from thebattery and the heater (52, 54) which can constantly receive power fromthe external power supply are alternately arranged. In FIG. 9, theheaters are arranged in the order of the heaters 51, 52, 53 and 54 alongthe counterclockwise direction, in a state which is rotated by 45degrees with respect to the heater arrangement of the fixing unit 40shown in FIG. 8. Of the heaters 52 and 54 which can constantly receivepower from the external power supply, the heater 54 which is closest tothe temperature detecting position, is closer to the temperaturedetecting position than the heater 51 (or heater 53 since the heaters 51and 53 are equidistant from the temperature detecting position) which isclosest to the temperature detecting position of the heaters 51 and 53which receive the controlled power from the capacitor.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the secondmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 60 shown in FIG. 10, rod-shaped heaters 61, 62, 63 and64 are disposed symmetrically about the center shaft of the fixingroller 1 at circumferential positions separated by a predetermineddistance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. Theheaters 61 and 62 receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, andheat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which issupplied to the heaters 61 and 62, is controlled. In other words, thepower from the battery, to be supplied to the heaters 61 and 62, may beturned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 63 and 64 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 63 and 64.

The heaters 61 through 64 are disposed at the circumferential positionsso that the heaters 61 and 62 which receive the controlled power fromthe battery are arranged side by side, and the heaters 63 and 64 whichcan constantly receive power from the external power supply are arrangedside by side, in this order along the counterclockwise direction in FIG.10, in a state which is equivalent to interchanging sources of the powersupply to the heaters 52 and 53 in the fixing unit 50 shown in FIG. 9.Of the heaters 63 and 64 which can constantly receive power from theexternal power supply, the heater 64 which is closest to the temperaturedetecting position, is closer to the temperature detecting position thanthe heater 61 which is closest to the temperature detecting position ofthe heaters 61 and 62 which receive the controlled power from thecapacitor.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the thirdmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 70 shown in FIG. 11, rod-shaped heaters 71, 72, 73 and74 are disposed symmetrically about the center shaft of the fixingroller 1 at circumferential positions separated by a predetermineddistance from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing roller 1. Theheaters 71 and 72 receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, andheat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which issupplied to the heaters 71 and 72, is controlled. In other words, thepower from the battery, to be supplied to the heaters 71 and 72, may beturned ON and OFF. On the other hand, the heaters 73 and 74 receivepower from an external power supply such as a commercial A.C. powersupply, and heat the fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the externalpower supply can constantly be supplied to the heater 73 and 74.

The heaters 71 through 74 are disposed at the circumferential positionsso that the heaters 71 and 72 which receive the controlled power fromthe battery are arranged side by side, and the heaters 73 and 74 whichcan constantly receive power from the external power supply are arrangedside by side, in this order along the counterclockwise direction in FIG.11, in a state which is equivalent to interchanging sources of the powersupply to the heaters 41 and 44 in the fixing unit 40 shown in FIG. 8.Of the heaters 73 and 74 which can constantly receive power from theexternal power supply, the heater 73 which is closest to the temperaturedetecting position, is the same distance from the temperature detectingposition as or is closer to the temperature detecting position than theheater 72 which is closest to the temperature detecting position of theheaters 71 and 72 which receive the controlled power from the capacitor.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the fourthmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 80 shown in FIG. 12, rod-shaped heaters 81, 83 and 84are disposed symmetrically about a rod-shaped heater 82 which isdisposed at the center shaft of the fixing roller 1, at circumferentialpositions separated by a predetermined distance from the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The heaters 81 and 82 receivepower from a battery, such as a capacitor, and heat the fixing roller 1by radiating heat towards the inner peripheral surface of the fixingroller 1. The power from the battery, which is supplied to the heaters81 and 82, is controlled. In other words, the power from the battery, tobe supplied to the heaters 81 and 82, may be turned ON and OFF. On theother hand, the heaters 83 and 84 receive power from an external powersupply such as a commercial A.C. power supply, and heat the fixingroller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheral surface of thefixing roller 1. The power from the external power supply can constantlybe supplied to the heater 83 and 84.

The heaters 81, 83 and 84 are disposed at the circumferential positionsso that the heater 81 which receives the controlled power from thebattery, and the heaters 83 and 84 which can constantly receive powerfrom the external power supply are arranged in this order along thecounterclockwise direction in FIG. 12, with the heater 82 which receivesthe controlled power from the battery disposed at the center of thefixing roller 1. Of the heaters 83 and 84 which can constantly receivepower from the external power supply, the heater 84 which is closest tothe temperature detecting position, is the same distance from thetemperature detecting position as or is closer to the temperaturedetecting position than the heater 81 which is closest to thetemperature detecting position of the heaters 81 and 82 which receivethe controlled power from the capacitor.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the fifthmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 200 shown in FIG. 13, rod-shaped heaters 201, 203 and204 are disposed symmetrically about a rod-shaped heater 202 which isdisposed at the center shaft of the fixing roller 1, at circumferentialpositions separated by a predetermined distance from the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The heaters 201 and 202receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, and heat the fixingroller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheral surface of thefixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which is supplied to theheaters 201 and 202, is controlled. In other words, the power from thebattery, to be supplied to the heaters 201 and 202, may be turned ON andOFF. On the other hand, the heaters 203 and 204 receive power from anexternal power supply such as a commercial A.C. power supply, and heatthe fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the external power supplycan constantly be supplied to the heater 203 and 204.

The heaters 201, 203 and 204 are disposed at the circumferentialpositions so that the heater 201 which receives the controlled powerfrom the battery, and the heaters 203 and 204 which can constantlyreceive power from the external power supply are arranged in this orderalong the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 13, with the heater 202which receives the controlled power from the battery disposed at thecenter of the fixing roller 1. Of the heaters 203 and 204 which canconstantly receive power from the external power supply, the heater 204which is closest to the temperature detecting position, is closer to thetemperature detecting position than the heater 202 which is closest tothe temperature detecting position of the heaters 201 and 202 whichreceive the controlled power from the capacitor.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the sixthmodification of the second embodiment of the fixing unit.

In a fixing unit 300 shown in FIG. 14, rod-shaped heaters 301, 303 and304 are disposed symmetrically about a rod-shaped heater 302 which isdisposed at the center shaft of the fixing roller 1, at circumferentialpositions separated by a predetermined distance from the innerperipheral surface of the fixing roller 1. The heaters 301 and 303receive power from a battery, such as a capacitor, and heat the fixingroller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheral surface of thefixing roller 1. The power from the battery, which is supplied to theheaters 81 and 82, is controlled. In other words, the power from thebattery, to be supplied to the heaters 301 and 303, may be turned ON andOFF. On the other hand, the heaters 302 and 304 receive power from anexternal power supply such as a commercial A.C. power supply, and heatthe fixing roller 1 by radiating heat towards the inner peripheralsurface of the fixing roller 1. The power from the external power supplycan constantly be supplied to the heater 302 and 304.

The heaters 301, 303 and 304 are disposed at the circumferentialpositions so that the heaters 301 and 302 which receive the controlledpower from the battery, and the heater 304 which can constantly receivepower from the external power supply are arranged in this order alongthe counterclockwise direction in FIG. 14, with the heater 302 whichreceives the controlled power from the battery disposed at the center ofthe fixing roller 1. Of the heaters 302 and 304 which can constantlyreceive power from the external power supply, the heater 304 which isclosest to the temperature detecting position, is the same distance fromthe temperature detecting position as or is closer to the temperaturedetecting position than the heater 303 which is closest to thetemperature detecting position of the heaters 301 and 303 which receivethe controlled power from the capacitor.

According to the first through sixth modifications of the secondembodiment, the heater which receives the power supply from thecapacitor will not block the heat radiated from the other heaters duringa heating process such as that at the time of starting the fixing unit50, 60, 70, 80, 200 or 300, even when the charge in the capacitor isinsufficient and the capacitor cannot supply the power to the heaterswhich are to receive the power supply from the capacitor. For thisreason, it is possible to match the surface temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 3 and the nip temperature in the vicinity of the nippart, and simultaneously prevent the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1 from rising to an undesirable high temperature so as to ensuresafe heating of the fixing roller 1 within a range less than or equal tothe set temperature when one or more heaters are designed to receivepower from a battery (capacitor in these modifications embodiment), soas to more positively ensure safety.

In the fixing unit of the present invention, it is not essential for thetemperature detecting position of the temperature sensor 3 to be locatedat the diametrically opposite position from the nip part as shown inFIGS. 5 through 14. The temperature detecting position of thetemperature sensor 3 may be set to an arbitrary position on or withrespect to the fixing roller 1, as long as it is possible to satisfy arelationship such that a heater (for example, the heater 13 shown inFIG. 5) which can constantly be supplied with the power and is locatedclosest to the temperature detecting position is the same distance fromthe temperature detecting position as or is closer to the temperaturedetecting position than a heater (for example, the heater 11 shown inFIG. 5) which is supplied with the controlled power which is turned ONand OFF.

In addition to the method of switching the power supply from thecapacitor ON and OFF with respect to the heater which is to receive thepower supply from the capacitor as employed in the embodiments andmodifications described above, it is possible to employ other methods ofcontrolling the power supply. For example, it is possible to employ aProportional-Integral-Differential (PID) control (or PID controlalgorithm) which provides a fine and smooth control by feeding back theamount of power to be supplied based on a relationship of the presenttemperature which is detected by the temperature sensor 3 with respectto a target temperature of the fixing roller 1 and the past temperaturechanges of the fixing roller 1 which are stored.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of the image formingapparatus according to the present invention, by referring to FIG. 15.FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing the embodiment of an imageforming apparatus according to the present invention. For the sake ofconvenience, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus employs thefixing unit 10 shown in FIG. 5. However, the image forming apparatus mayof course employ the fixing unit of any of the embodiments andmodifications described above. Only parts of the image forming apparatusdirectly related to the subject matter of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 15, since the basic structure of theimage forming apparatus shown in FIG. 15 are described in detail in theJapanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-174988.

An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 15 generally includes aphotoconductive body (or image bearing member) 101 which has a drumshape in this embodiment, a charging unit 102 which uniformly chargesthe surface of the photoconductive body 101 which has been cleaned bythe scraper blade 103, a laser optical system 140 which forms anelectrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photoconductivebody 101 by exposing the charge surface by a laser beam, and adeveloping unit 107 including a developing roller 105, which developsthe electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductivebody 101 into a toner image. In addition, the toner image on the surfaceof the photoconductive body 101 is transferred onto a recording medium Pwhich is supplied from a paper supply cassette 110 by a pick up unit 114of the supply cassette 110, by a transfer unit 106. The recording mediumP having the toner image formed thereon is transported to the fixingunit 10. In the fixing unit 10, the recording medium P is heated andpressed by the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2, and the tonerimage is fixed on the recording medium P. Hence, the image is formed onthe recording medium P by an electrophotography technique.

When the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is turnedON, each part of the image forming apparatus 100 is started, and thefixing unit 10 is simultaneously started therewith. Hence, the powersupply to the heaters 11 through 13 of the fixing unit 10 is started,and the heating of the fixing roller 1 is started. In this state, thesurface temperature of the fixing roller 1 is detected and the powersupply to the heaters 11 through 13 is controlled, so that the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 is prevented from rising to anundesirable high temperature so as to ensure safe heating of the fixingroller 1 within a range less than or equal to the set temperature whenat least one heater (heater 11 in this embodiment) is designed toreceive power from a battery (capacitor in this embodiment), so as tomore positively ensure safety. Therefore, a satisfactory image can beformed on the recording medium P.

Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the fixingunit according to the present invention, by referring to FIGS. 16through 20. This third embodiment of the fixing unit may also be appliedto the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a part of the third embodiment ofthe fixing unit. FIG. 17 is a side view showing a fixing roller shown inFIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the fixing unit cut alonga line A-A in FIG. 16, and FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of thefixing unit cut along a line B-B in FIG. 16. Further, FIG. 20 is adiagram showing amounts of heat generated by heater parts of theheaters. In FIGS. 16 through 19, those parts which are essentially thesame as those corresponding parts shown in FIGS. 5 through 14 aredesignated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereofwill be omitted.

In this embodiment, the heater 11 of a fixing unit 400 is made up of asingle heater part 111, the heater 12 is made up of a center heater part112, and the heater 13 is made up of a pair of end heater parts 113-1and 113-2, as shown in FIG. 17. A temperature sensor 3-1 provided at aposition corresponding to the center heater part 112, so as to detectthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 1. A temperature sensor 3-2is provided at a position corresponding to one of the end heater parts113-1 and 113-2, namely, the end heater part 113-1 in this embodiment,so as to detect the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1. Thetemperature sensor 3-2 is only provided with respect to one ofsymmetrically arranged heater parts 113-1 and 113-2 of the heater 13,because the fixing unit 400 of this embodiment has an approximatelysymmetrical configuration on both sides with respect to the centralportion of the fixing roller 1 along the longitudinal direction thereof.In other words, it is assumed that the surface temperature of the fixingroller 1 undergoes approximately the same change on both end portions ofthe fixing roller 1.

As shown in FIG. 17, the center heater part 112 and the pair of endheater parts 113-1 and 113-2 partially overlap in the longitudinaldirection of the fixing roller 1, so as to realize an approximatelyuniform temperature distribution along the longitudinal direction of thefixing roller 1. However, it is not essential to provide the partialoverlap of the heater parts.

The temperature sensor 3-1 is provided with respect to the center heaterpart 112 as shown in FIG. 18, and the temperature sensor 3-2 is providedwith respect to the end heaters part 113-1 as shown in FIG. 19. Thetemperature detecting positions of the two temperature sensors 3-1 and3-2 are mutually different along the circumferential direction of thefixing roller 1, as may be seen by comparing FIGS. 18 and 19.Furthermore, the temperature sensors 3-1 and 3-2 are provided atpositions which are substantially unaffected by the blocking of heatfrom the heaters 12 and 13 by the heater 11.

In FIG. 20, the ordinate indicates the amount of heat generated inarbitrary units, and the abscissa indicates the distance along thelongitudinal direction of the fixing roller 1 in arbitrary units. Adotted line indicates the amount of heat generated by the heater part111 of the heater 11 which is driven by the battery. A one-dot chainline indicates the amount of heat generated by the center heater part112 of the heater 12 which is driven by the external power supply suchas the commercial A.C. power supply. A solid line indicates the amountof heat generated by the pair of end heater parts 113-1 and 113-2 of theheater 13 which is driven by the external power supply such as thecommercial A.C. power supply.

In this embodiment, the controlled power supplied to the heater part 111of the heater 11 is turned ON and OFF, and the controlled power suppliedto each of the heater parts 112, 113-1 and 113-2 of the heaters 12 and13 is variable in a plurality of levels. However, it is of coursepossible to make the controlled power supplied to the heater part 111 ofthe heater 11 variable in a plurality of levels. In other words, the PIDcontrol is not limited to the heaters 12 and 13 which are driven by theexternal power supply, and is similarly applicable also to the heater 11which is driven by the battery. Moreover, it is also possible to makethe controlled power supplied to each of the heater parts 112, 113-1 and113-2 of the heaters 12 and 13 assume one of ON and OFF states.

Each of the heater parts 111, 112, 113-1 and 113-2 may be formed by ahalogen lamp, a carbon heater, an induction heater and the like. Inaddition, a heater having a configuration which permits differentamounts of heat to be generated in response to the same driving power atdifferent positions along the longitudinal direction of the heater, maybe used for any of the heater parts 111, 112, 113-1 and 113-2. Thedriving power may be controlled based on an amplitude of the current orvoltage, or a number of driving pulses. When the heater having such aconfiguration is used for the heater part 111 of the heater 11, forexample, the heater 11 may be driven as shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing amounts of heat generated by heater partsof the heaters in a modification of the third embodiment of the fixingunit. In FIG. 21, the ordinate indicates the amount of heat generated inarbitrary units, and the abscissa indicates the distance along thelongitudinal direction of the fixing roller 1 in arbitrary units. Adotted line indicates the amount of heat generated by the heater part111 of the heater 11 which is driven by the battery. A one-dot chainline indicates the amount of heat generated by the center heater part112 of the heater 12 which is driven by the external power supply suchas the commercial A.C. power supply. A solid line indicates the amountof heat generated by the pair of end heater parts 113-1 and 113-2 of theheater 13 which is driven by the external power supply such as thecommercial A.C. power supply. As may be seen from FIG. 21, the amount ofheat generated by the heater part 111 of the heater 11 is larger at bothend portions along the longitudinal direction of the fixing roller 1, soas to compensate for a temperature drop which is likely to occurimmediately after at least the heater 11 is driven due to heat whichescapes from the end portions of the fixing roller 1 via gears and othermechanical parts, for example. According to this modification, it ispossible to more positively control the surface temperature of thefixing roller 1 to become approximately uniform along the longitudinaldirection of the fixing roller 1.

In a case where the halogen lamp or the like is used for the heaters 11through 13, the ordinate in FIGS. 20 and 21 corresponds to the intensityof light emitted from the halogen lamp or the like, in arbitrary units.

Of course, the heater 11 which is driven by the battery may be replacedby a plurality of heaters each formed by a plurality of heater parts,similarly to the heater 13. In addition, the heater 12 which is drivenby the external power supply may also be formed by a plurality of heaterparts, similarly to the heater 13. Moreover, the number of heater partsforming the heaters 11 through 13 is not limited to a predeterminedvalue. However, it is preferable to set the number and the arrangementof heater parts so as to enable uniform heating of the fixing roller 1along the longitudinal direction of the fixing roller 1.

Next, a description will be given of embodiments of the method ofdetermining the temperature detecting position of the temperature sensoraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the method ofdetermining the temperature detecting position of the temperature sensoraccording to the present invention. In FIG. 22, those parts which arethe same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 through 14 and 16through 19 are designated by the same reference numerals, and adescription thereof will be omitted. Further, the illustration of theheater 12 is omitted, so as to simplify the temperature distribution ofthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 1.

In this embodiment of the method of determining the temperaturedetecting position of the temperature sensor 3 which is configured todetect the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 having theplurality of internal heaters 11 through 13 which receive power based onthe surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3, at leastthe heater 11 is capable of receiving power from the battery, and theremaining heaters 12 and 13 are capable of receiving power from theexternal power supply such as the commercial A.C. power supply. Themethod includes the following steps:

ST1: To obtain a first temperature distribution TD1 of the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 when the heater 11 is ON and theheater 13 (that is, at least one of the heaters 12 and 13) is ON;

ST2: To obtain a second temperature distribution TD2 of the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 when the heater 11 is OFF and theheater 13 (that is, at least the above one of the heaters 12 and 13) isON; and

ST3: To determine the temperature detecting position of the temperaturesensor 3 to a location where a difference DIFF1 between the first andsecond temperature distributions TD1 and TD2 is smaller than apredetermined value.

In FIG. 22, DIFFL1 indicates a location where the difference between thefirst and second temperature distributions TD1 and TD2 is thepredetermined value or larger and unsuited as the temperature detectingposition of the temperature sensor 3.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the method ofdetermining the temperature detecting position of the temperature sensoraccording to the present invention. In FIG. 23, those parts which arethe same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 through 14 and 16through 19 are designated by the same reference numerals, and adescription thereof will be omitted. Further, the illustration of theheater 12 is omitted, so as to simplify the temperature distribution ofthe surface temperature of the fixing roller 1.

In this embodiment of the method of determining the temperaturedetecting position of the temperature sensor 3 which is configured todetect the surface temperature of the fixing roller 1 having theplurality of internal heaters 11 through 13 which receive power based onthe surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3, at leastthe heater 11 is capable of receiving power from the battery, theremaining heaters 12 and 13 are capable of receiving power from anexternal power supply such as a commercial A.C. power supply. The methodincludes the following steps:

ST11: To obtain a first temperature distribution TD11 of the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 when no heater 11 is actuallyprovided and the heater 13 (that is, at least one of the heaters 12 and13) is ON;

ST12: To obtain a second temperature distribution TD12 of the surfacetemperature of the fixing roller 1 when the heater 11 is actuallyprovided and the heater 13 (that is, at least the above one of theheaters 12 and 13) is ON; and

ST13: To determine the temperature detecting position of the temperaturesensor 3 to a location where a difference DIFF2 between the first andsecond temperature distributions TD11 and TD12 is smaller than apredetermined value.

In FIG. 23, DIFFL2 indicates a location where the difference between thefirst and second temperature distributions TD11 and TD12 is thepredetermined value or larger and unsuited as the temperature detectingposition of the temperature sensor 3.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvarious variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unitconfigured to form a toner image on a recording medium; and a fixingunit configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium, saidfixing unit comprising: a heat roller having three or more heaters,including two or more main heaters; and a temperature sensor configuredto detect a temperature of the heat roller, wherein the main heaters aredisposed at positions closer to the temperature sensor than otherheaters of the heat roller.
 2. The image forming apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the main heaters constantly receive power during afixing operation.
 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: an imageforming unit configured to form a toner image on a recording medium; anda fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium,said fixing unit comprising: a heat roller having three or more heaters,including two or more main heaters; and a temperature sensor configuredto detect a temperature of the heat roller, wherein the main heaters aredisposed at positions that avoid heat generated from the main heatersfrom being blocked by other heaters of the heat roller, with respect tothe temperature sensor.
 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: animage forming unit configured to form a toner image on a recordingmedium; and a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on therecording medium, said fixing unit comprising: two or more main heatersconfigured to receive power from an external power supply; one or moreauxiliary heaters configured to receive power from a capacitor; a heatroller configured to be heated by the main and auxiliary heaters; and atemperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heatroller, wherein the main heaters are disposed at positions closer to thetemperature sensor than the one or more auxiliary heaters.
 5. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heat roller isstationary when starting the image forming apparatus.
 6. An imageforming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form atoner image on a recording medium; and a fixing unit configured to fixthe toner image on the recording medium, said fixing unit comprising:two or more main heaters configured to receive power from an externalpower supply; one or more auxiliary heaters configured to receive powerfrom a capacitor; a heat roller configured to be heated by the main andauxiliary heaters; and a temperature sensor configured to detect atemperature of the heat roller, wherein the main heaters are disposed atpositions that avoid heat generated from the main heaters from beingblocked by the one or more auxiliary heaters, with respect to thetemperature sensor.
 7. An image forming apparatus comprising: an imageforming unit configured to form a toner image on a recording medium; anda fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium,said fixing unit comprising: two main heaters configured to receivepower from an external power supply; two auxiliary heaters configured toreceive power from a capacitor; a heat roller configured to be heated bythe main and auxiliary heaters; and a temperature sensor configured todetect a temperature of the heat roller, wherein the main heaters andthe auxiliary heaters are alternately disposed along a circumferentialdirection of the heat roller.
 8. An image forming apparatus adapted toform an image on a recording medium by an electrophotography technique,comprising: an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on arecording medium; a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on therecording medium; and a control unit configured to control powersupplied to the fixing unit, said fixing unit comprising: a heat rollerhaving a plurality of heaters; and a temperature sensor configured todetect a temperature of the heat roller, wherein said control unitcontrols the power that is supplied to the plurality of heatersdepending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, andsaid plurality of heaters comprises at least one first heater and aplurality of second heaters that are symmetrically arranged along acircumferential direction of the heat roller relative to a center of theheat roller, said second heaters generating main heat during operationof the fixing unit, and said first heater generating auxiliary heat whenabruptly raising the temperature of the heat roller.
 9. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second heaters andsaid at least one first heater are alternately arranged along thecircumferential direction of the heat roller.
 10. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of heatersreceive the power originating from a power supply that is controlled bythe control unit based on the temperature detected by the temperaturesensor.
 11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein:said first heater generates the auxiliary heat based on poweroriginating from a first power supply; and said second heaters generatethe main heat based on power originating from a second power supply,said first and second power supplies being mutually different and beingboth controlled by the control unit.
 12. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the first power supply comprises a battery.13. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein thebattery comprises a capacitor.
 14. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the second power supply comprises acommercial A.C. power supply.
 15. The image forming apparatus as claimedin claim 8, wherein the first heater closest to a temperature detectingposition where the temperature sensor detects the temperature of theheat roller is arranged at a position that avoids blocking the heatgenerated from one or more second heaters, so that the temperature ofthe heat roller at the temperature detecting position is substantiallythe same as the temperature at other positions of the heat roller. 16.The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of thesecond heaters closest to a temperature detecting position where thetemperature sensor detects the temperature of the heat roller is thesame distance from the temperature detecting position as or is closer tothe temperature detecting position than a first heater which is closestto the temperature detecting position.
 17. The image forming apparatusas claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit controls power suppliedto at least one of said first heater, and said second heaters, by PIDcontrol.
 18. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein:said first heater comprises a heater part that extends substantially forthe entire length of the heat roller along a longitudinal direction ofthe heat roller; and said second heaters comprise one second heaterhaving a center heater part that is configured to heat a center portionof the heat roller along the longitudinal direction, and another secondheater having a pair of end heater parts that are configured to heatopposite end portions of the heat roller along the longitudinaldirection.
 19. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 18,wherein said center heater part and said pair of end heater partspartially overlap in the longitudinal direction of the heat roller.